Contact hearing systems, apparatus and methods

ABSTRACT

The present invention is directed to a hearing aid which includes a lateral ear canal assembly and a medial ear canal assembly. In embodiments of the invention the medial ear canal assembly may include smart circuitry adapted to control parameters and outputs of the medial ear canal assembly. In embodiments of the invention various methods and circuitry are described, wherein the methods and circuitry are adapted to improve the performance and efficiency of the hearing aid.

CROSS-REFERENCE

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.16/953,085, filed Nov. 19, 2020, now U.S. patent Ser. No. ______; whichis a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/717,796, filedDec. 17, 2019; which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser.No. 15/710,712, filed Sep. 20, 2017; which is a continuation of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 15/695,566, filed Sep. 5, 2017; which claimspriority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/385,914, filed Sep. 9,2016; the full disclosures of which are incorporated herein by referencein their entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In contact hearing aid systems, the system, including a contact hearingdevice, an ear tip and an audio processor, is employed to enhance thehearing of a user. Depending upon the contact hearing aid, the systemmay also include an external communication device, such as a cellularphone, which communicates with the audio processor. An example of suchsystem is the Earlens Light Driven Hearing Aid manufactured by EarlensCorporation. The Earlens hearing-aid transmits an audio signal by laserto a tympanic membrane transducer which is placed on an ear drum of auser. In such systems, it may be beneficial to add smart components tothe contact hearing device in order to improve the overall functionand/or efficiency of the system. It may also be beneficial to usealternative methods of transmitting the signal and/or the energyrequired to power the contact hearing device and/or electroniccomponents on the contact hearing device.

As an example, in some prior contact hearing aid systems, e.g., thoseusing light to transmit sound to a contact hearing device positioned onthe tympanic membrane of a user, it was beneficial to bias thetransmitted signal in order to transmit both positive and negativeelements of the encoded data (e.g., sound signal) from a lateral earcanal assembly positioned in the user's ear canal to a medial ear canalassembly positioned on the user's tympanic membrane. The transmittedsignal was then received, by, for example, a photodetector, andtransmitted directly to the vibratory load, e.g., a transducer assembly.In such systems, the bias consumed a significant amount of energy in thetransmitted signal. In some devices, the amount of energy required forthe bias signal was reduced by using a sliding bias. In such systems,the bias is changed according to the level of the incoming sounds, witha smaller bias for lower level input sounds and a larger bias for higherlevel input sounds. Unfortunately, the use of a sliding bias, whilereducing the amount of energy required for the bias, does not eliminatethe need for a bias signal, which consumes energy, potentially resultingin a shorter battery life or the need for a larger battery. Further, theuse of a sliding bias may result in sound artifacts which are audible tothe hearing aid wearer. Thus, it would be beneficial to design a systemwhich does not require a bias to transmit data and power to the lateralear canal assembly.

Further, in prior systems, the input from the lateral ear canal assemblywould be used to drive the output of the medial ear canal assemblydirectly with the data and power signals remaining combined. In thesedevices, the level of the output of the medial ear canal assembly was afunction of the level of the input to the medial ear canal assembly.This arrangement could be disadvantageous because the output of themedial ear canal assembly was subject to change, by, for example,changes in the distance between the medial and lateral ear canalassemblies, which may be caused by, for example, the positioning of thelateral ear canal assembly in the ear.

Further, in prior systems, such as those using light to transmit soundthrough the ear canal of a user or from a lateral hearing aid assemblyto a medial hearing aid assembly, it may be difficult to obtain andmaintain alignment between the transmitting element (e.g., a laser) onthe lateral ear canal assembly and the receiving element (e.g., aphotodetector) on the medial ear canal assembly. For example, thealignment may depend upon the placement of transmitting and receivingelements in the ear canal, if they are not properly placed, thealignment may be off and the transmitted signal may be too low to beuseable at the medial ear canal assembly. Alternatively, or in addition,movements of, for example, the jaw of a user, may result in changes tothe alignment caused by changes to the shape of the ear canal orposition of the transmitting or receiving elements. It would, therefore,be advantageous to design a hearing aid system wherein alignment betweencomponents on the lateral ear canal assembly and components on themedial ear canal assembly had little or no effect on the strength of asignal received at the medial ear canal assembly. It would further beadvantageous to design a hearing aid system wherein changes in the shapeor structure of the ear canal resulting from, for example, movement ofthe user's jaw, would have little or no impact on the strength of asignal received at the medial ear canal assembly.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates to improved contact hearing aid systems,apparatuses, and methods and more particularly to improved designs forsuch contact hearing aid systems and improved methods for transmittingenergy and information between components of such systems.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of embodimentsof the present inventive concepts will be apparent from the moreparticular description of preferred embodiments, as illustrated in theaccompanying drawings in which like reference characters refer to thesame or like elements. The drawings are not necessarily to scale,emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of thepreferred embodiments.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a smartlens system, including a lateral earcanal assembly and medial ear canal assembly according to one embodimentof the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a smartlens system, including a lateral earcanal assembly and medial ear canal assembly according to one embodimentof the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a smartlens system which is adapted forcommunication with external devices according to one embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a medial ear canal assembly (which may alsobe referred to as a smart lens) according to one embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 5 is a further example of a medial ear canal assembly according toone embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of an optically coupled lateral and medial earcanal assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of an inductively coupled medial ear canalassembly according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a circuit diagram of an RF smartlens system according to thepresent invention.

FIG. 9 is a circuit diagram of a current driver driving a transducerassembly which may be used in embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a diagram of a rectifier and converter circuit according toone embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a diagram of a rectifier and converter circuit according toone embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a diagram of a rectifier and converter circuit according toone embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a diagram of a portion of a medial ear canal assemblyaccording to one or more embodiments of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a smartlens system 30 according to oneembodiment of the present invention, including lateral ear canalassembly 12 (which may also be referred to as a light tip or eartip insome embodiments) and medial ear canal assembly 100 (which may also bereferred to as a tympanic lens or tympanic lens transducer in someembodiments).

In the embodiment of FIG. 1 , lateral ear canal assembly12 includes aplurality of microphones 810 which are connected through pre-amplifiers820 to analog to digital (A to D) converters 830. Analog to digitalconverters 830 may be connected to digital signal processor 840. Theoutput of digital signal processor 840 may be connected to a circuit formodulating the output, such as, for example, pulse density modulator850. In the embodiment of the invention, the output of pulse densitymodulator 850 may be connected to radio frequency (RF) modulator 860.The output of RF modulator 860 may be connected to power amplifier 870and the output of power amplifier 870 may be connected to antenna 880.In the embodiment illustrated, signals radiated from antenna 880 may bereceived by medial ear canal assembly 100.

In FIG. 1 , medial ear canal assembly 100 may include antenna 890. Theoutput of antenna 890 may be connected to monitor 900, Power regulator910 and RF demodulator 920. The output of monitor 900 may be connectedto power regulator 910. The output of power regulator 910 and RFdemodulator 920 may be connected to driver 930. The output of driver 930may be connected to actuator 940. The output of actuator 940 drives umbolens 960, using, for example, a vibratory output.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a smartlens system 30, including a lateralear canal assembly 12 (which may also be referred to as a processor) andmedial ear canal assembly 100 according to one embodiment of the presentinvention. In FIG. 2 , lateral ear canal assembly 12 may include anexternal antenna 802 adapted to send and receive signals from anexternal source such as a cell phone (see FIG. 3 ). External antenna 802may be connected to a circuit for processing signals received fromexternal antenna 802, such as blue tooth circuit 804, which, in someembodiments, may be a blue tooth low energy circuit. The output ofBluetooth circuit 804 may be connected to digital signal processor 840,which may also include inputs from microphones 810. Ear canal assembly12 may further include battery 806 and power conversion circuit 808along with charging antenna 812 (which may be a coil) and wirelesscharging circuit 814. Digital signal processor 840 may be connected tointerface circuit 816, which may be used to transmit data and power fromlateral ear canal assembly 12 to medial ear canal assembly 100. Inembodiments of the invention, power and data may be transmitted betweenlateral ear canal assembly 12 and medial ear canal assembly 100 overpower/data link 818 by any one of a number of mechanisms, including,radio frequency (RF), optical, inductive and cutaneous (through theskin) transmission of the data and power. Alternatively, separate modesof transmission may be used for the power and data signals, such as, forexample, transmitting the power using radio frequency and the data usinglight.

In FIG. 2 , power and data transmitted to medial ear canal assembly 100may be received by interface circuit 822. Interface circuit 822 may beconnected to energy harvesting and data recovery circuit 824 and toelectrical and biological sensors 823. In FIG. 2 , medial ear canalassembly 100 may further include energy storage circuitry 826, powermanagement circuitry 828, data and signal processing circuitry 832 andmicrocontroller 834. Medial ear canal assembly 100 may further include adriver circuit 836 and a microactuator 838. In the illustratedembodiment, data transmitted from medial ear canal assembly 100 may bereceived by interface circuit 816 on lateral ear canal assembly 12.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a smartlens system 30, adapted forcommunication with external devices according to one embodiment of thepresent invention. In FIG. 3 , smartlens system 30, illustratedpreviously in FIG. 2 is adapted to communicate with external devicessuch as cell phone 844 or cloud computing services 842. Suchcommunication may occur through external antenna 802 on lateral earcanal assembly 12 or, in some embodiments directly from medial ear canalassembly 100.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a medial ear canal assembly 100 accordingto an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 4 , medial ear canalassembly 100 includes interface 720, clock recovery circuit 730, datarecovery circuit 740 and energy harvesting circuit 750. In embodimentsof the invention, interface 720 is adapted to transmit data from medialear canal assembly 100 and to receive data transmitted to medial earcanal assembly 100. Interface 720 may be a radio frequency (RF)interface, an optical interface, an inductive interface or a cutaneousinterface. Medial ear canal assembly 100 may further include powermanagement circuit 760, voltage regulator 770, driver 780, dataprocessor encoder 790 and data/sensor interface 800.

In FIG. 4 , upstream data 702 collected from data processor/encoder 790may be transmitted via interface 720 as a part of upstream signal 700.Downstream signal 710 may be transmitted to interface 720, which mayextract the data portion and may distribute downstream data 712 to datarecovery circuit 740 and clock recovery circuit 730. Interface 720 mayfurther transmit at least a portion of downstream signal 705 to energyharvesting circuit 750. The output of energy harvesting circuit 750 maybe transmitted to power management circuit 760, which may thendistribute energy to voltage regulator 770. Voltage regulator 770 maydistribute its output to driver 780, which may also receive input fromdata recovery circuit 740. The output of driver 780 may be sent throughmatching network 831 to drive, for example, microactuator 840.

Microactuator 840 may include sensors (not shown) which generate dataabout the function of microactuator 840. This data may be transmittedback to medial ear canal assembly 100 through matching network 831 andto data/sensor interface 800, which, in turn may transmit the sensorinformation to data processor/encoder 790, which generates upstream data702. Data/sensor interface 800 may also receive information from othersensors (e.g., Sensor 1 to Sensor n in FIG. 4 ), which data is, in turn,transmitted to data processor/encoder 790 and becomes part of upstreamdata 702.

FIG. 5 is a further example of a medial ear canal assembly 100 accordingto one embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 5 , a circuit 510(which may be a hybrid circuit) may be positioned on medial ear canalassembly 100. Hybrid circuit 510 may include smart chip 520, antenna540, matching network 550 and capacitor 660. Smart chip 520 may includecurrent bias circuitry 600, voltage reference circuit 590, regulator 560(which may be, for example, a Class-G H-Bridge regulator), energyharvesting circuit 650, driver 570 (which may be, for example, a PulseDensity Modulation (PDM) driver), current driver 620 (which may be aClass-G H-Bridge current driver), data decoder 580, clock 640 anddiagnostic circuit 610. In the illustrated embodiment, regulator 560 maybe, for example, a Class G H-Bridge Regulator which may be a push-pullpositive negative driver with a zero bias. Using a regulator with a zerobias may reduce energy consumption by a factor of 10 or more whencompared to prior contact hearing aid systems which used light totransmit the power and information.

In the embodiment of FIG. 5 , antenna 540 may be adapted to receive RFsignals, inductively coupled signals or cutaneously transmitted signals.Signals received by antenna 540 may include a power component and/or adata component. Antenna 540 may also be used to transmit data frommedial ear canal assembly 100 to an external device, such as, forexample, a lateral ear canal assembly 12. In the illustrated embodiment,matching network 550 provides matching between antenna 540 and smartchip 520. Driver 570 may control the gain applied to the incomingsignal, ensuring that the output of microactuator is uniform for a giveninput. The gain applied to a given signal will be a function of the gainrequired by the user of the device. Amplified signals from currentdriver 620 are passed through a matching network, such as, for example,capacitor 660, to transducer assembly 20 (which may be, for example, amicroactuator, such as, for example, a balanced armature transducer),which may be used to vibrate the tympanic membrane of a user.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5 , data decoder 580 decodes andconfirms the validity of data received by antenna 540, performingfunctions such as error correction and data verification. In embodimentsof the invention, particularly those using RF, inductive and/orcutaneously coupled data transmission, interference from externalsources could be a problem and it is important to ensure that onlyverified data is used by the system. In light based systems,interference is of less concern since the light is confined to the earcanal where it was not subject to interference from other light sources.In embodiments of the invention, voltage reference circuit 590 andCurrent bias circuit 600 provide the appropriate voltage and current todrive transducer assembly 20. In embodiments of the invention,diagnostic circuit 610 gathers data from sensors located on or connectedto medial ear canal assembly 100 to transmit that data back to lateralear canal assembly 12. In embodiments of the invention, current driver620 supplies the current necessary to drive transducer assembly 100. Inembodiments of the invention, clock 640 supplies clock signals to thedigital components on medial ear canal assembly 100.

In embodiments of the invention, energy harvest circuit 650 harvestsenergy for use by the components of medial ear canal assembly 100.Energy harvest circuit 650 may harvest energy from the signals receivedby antenna 540 and/or from environmental energy sources, whichenvironmental energy sources may include, for example, movement of theperson wearing medial ear canal assembly 100 and/or movement of bodyparts, including the wearer's mouth. In embodiments of the invention,capacitor 660 provides a matching network between current driver 620 andtransducer assembly 20.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of an optically coupled medial ear canalassembly 100 and lateral ear canal assembly 12 according to oneembodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 6 , photo detector 150 mayreceive optical input signals from laser 864 on lateral ear canalassembly 12. The received signals result in an output voltage Vi, whichis measured at the output of photodetector 150 and may be relayed todata acquisition circuit 846 and maximum power point tracking (“MPPT”)control circuit 848. Data acquisition circuit 846 and MPPT controlcircuit 848 may also receive the measured current at the output ofphotodetector 150 from current sensor 852. In the illustratedembodiment, photo detector 150 may be modeled as current source 152 andparasitic diode 853. In the illustrated embodiment, capacitor 854 may beconnected across the output of photodetector 150. In FIG. 6 , switch 856may be positioned between the output of photodetector 150 and the inputof converter 857. The output of converter 857 may be connected to load882 and to storage device 869. Storage device 869 may be, for example, arechargeable battery.

In FIG. 6 , switch 856 controls the connection of converter 857 to theoutput of photodetector 150. Switch 856 is controlled by the output ofMPPT control circuit 848. Converter 857 supplies energy to and receivesenergy from storage device 869, which may be, for example, arechargeable battery. Data acquisition circuit 846 and converter circuit857 drive load 882, with data acquisition circuit 847 proving load 882with control data (e.g. sound wave information) and converter 857providing load 882 with power. The power provided by converter 857 isused to drive load 882 in accordance with the control data from dataacquisition circuit 846. Load 882 may, in some embodiments of theinvention, be a transducer assembly, such as, for example, a balancedarmature transducer.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of an inductively coupled medial ear canalassembly 100 and lateral ear canal assembly 12 according to oneembodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 7 , the output of lateralear canal assembly 12 may be inductively coupled through coil 858 tocoil 862 on medial ear canal assembly 100. The inductive coupling mayinduce a current in coil 862 on medial ear canal assembly 100. Theinductively induced current may be measured by current sensor 852. Theinductive coupling may further induce an output voltage Vi across coil862 which may be measured by a voltage meter 863. The measured currentand voltage may be used by MPPT control 848 and data acquisition circuit846. The output of coil 862 may be further connected to a rectifier andconverter circuit 865 through capacitor 854. In embodiments of theinvention, coil 862 may be connected directly to rectifier and convertercircuit 865 (eliminating capacitor 854). In FIG. 7 , capacitor 854 maybe positioned between the output of coil 862, which may includecapacitor 872, and the input of rectifier and converter circuit 865. Theoutput of rectifier and converter circuit 865 may be connected to load882 and to storage device 869. In embodiments of the invention,rectifier and converter circuitry 865 may include circuitry whichprovides power to storage device 869 and transmits power from storagedevice 869 to load 882 when required. In embodiments of the invention,storage device 869 may be connected directly to coil 862 or to othercircuitry adapted to harvest energy from coil 862 and deliver energy toload 882. Load 882 may be, for example, a microactuator positioned onthe medial ear canal assembly 100 such that load 882 vibrates thetympanic membrane of a user when stimulated by signals received by coil862. Storage device 869 may be, for example, a rechargeable battery.

In embodiments of the invention: coil 858 may comprise a transmit coiland coal 862 may comprise a receive coil; coils 858 and 862 may beelongated coils manufactured from a conductive material; coils 854 and862 may be stacked coils; coils 854 and 862 may be wound inductors;coils 854 and 862 may be wound around a central core; coils 854 and 862may be wound around a core comprising air; coils 854 and 862 may bewound around a magnetic core; coils 854 and 862 may have a substantiallyfixed diameter along the length of the wound coil.

In embodiments of the invention: rectifier and converter circuit 865 maycomprise power control circuitry; rectifier and converter circuit 865may comprise a rectifier; rectifier and converter 865 may be arectifying circuit, including, for example, a diode circuit, a half waverectifier or a full wave rectifier; rectifier and converter circuit 865may comprise a diode circuit and capacitor.

In embodiments of the invention, energy storage device 869 may be acapacitor, a rechargeable battery or any other electronic element ordevice which is adapted to store electrical energy.

In FIG. 7 , the output of MPPT control circuit 848 may control rectifierand converter circuit 865. Rectifier and converter circuit 865 maysupply energy to and receive energy from storage device 869, which maybe, for example, a rechargeable battery. Data acquisition circuit 846and rectifier and converter circuit 865 may be used to drive load 882,with data acquisition circuit 846 proving load 882 with control data(e.g., sound wave information) and rectifier and converter circuit 865providing load 882 with power. In embodiments of the invention,rectifier and converter circuit 865 may be used to drive load 862directly, without information from a data circuit such as dataacquisition circuit 846. In embodiments of the invention rectifier andconverter circuit 865 may be used to drive load 862 directly withoutenergy from storage device 869. The power provided by rectifier andconverter circuit 865 is used to drive load 882 in accordance with thecontrol data from data acquisition circuit 846. Load 882 may, in someembodiments of the invention, be a transducer assembly, such as, forexample, a balanced armature transducer.

In embodiments of the invention, information and/or power may betransmitted from lateral ear canal assembly 12 to medial ear canalassembly 100 by magnetically coupling coil 858 to coil 862. When thecoils are inductively coupled, the magnetic flux generated by coil 858may be used to generate an electrical current in coil 862. When thecoils are inductively coupled, the magnetic flux generated by coil 858may be used to generate an electrical voltage across coil 862. Inembodiments of the invention, the signal used to excite coil 858 onlateral ear canal assembly 12 may be a push/pull signal. In embodimentsof the invention, the signal used to excite coil 858 may have a zerocrossing. In embodiments of the invention, the magnetic flux generatedby coil 858 travels through a pathway that includes a direct air pathwaythat is not obstructed by bodily components. In embodiments of theinvention, the direct air pathway is through air in the ear canal of auser. In embodiments of the invention, the direct air pathway is line ofsight between lateral ear canal assembly 12 and medial ear canalassembly 100 such that medial ear canal assembly 100 is opticallyvisible from lateral ear canal assembly 100.

In embodiments of the invention, the output signal generated at coil 862may be rectified by, for example, rectifier and converter circuit 865.In embodiments of the invention, a rectified signal may be used to drivea load, such as load 882 positioned on medial ear canal assembly 100. Inembodiments of the invention, the output signal generated at coil 862may contain an information/data portion which includes informationtransmitted to medial ear canal assembly 100 by coil 858. In embodimentsof the invention, at least a portion of the output signal generated atcoil 862 may contain energy or power which may be scavenged by circuitson medial ear canal assembly 100 to charge, for example, storage device869.

In embodiments of the invention, wherein inductive coupling is used inthe transmission of data and/or power between components of a hearingaid, advantages of inductive coupling over other mechanisms ofenergy/data transfer may include: a reduced sensitivity todirectionality and motion of the hearing aid; a reduced sensitivity torelative positioning of the components of the hearing aid; a reducedsensitivity to the relative motion of components of the hearing aid;improved user comfort, particularly with respect to components of thehearing aid positioned in the ear canal of the user; extended batterylife; and a reduced sensitivity to bodily fluids (e.g. cerumen) presentin the ear canal of a patient.

FIG. 8 is a circuit diagram of an RF smartlens system according to thepresent invention. In FIG. 8 , the output of lateral ear canal assembly12 may be coupled through antenna 880 to antenna 890 on medial ear canalassembly 100. The RF coupling induces a current in antenna 890, whichmay be measured by current sensor 852 and further induces an outputvoltage Vi which may be measured by voltage sensor 863. The measuredcurrent and voltage Vi are used by MPPT control 848 and data acquisitioncircuit 846. The output of antenna 890 may be connected to a rectifierand converter circuit 865 through capacitor 854. In FIG. 8 , capacitor854 may be positioned between the output of antenna 890, which mayinclude capacitor 872 and the input of rectifier and converter circuit865. The output of rectifier and converter circuit 865 may be connectedto load 882 and to storage device 869. Load 882 may, in some embodimentsof the invention, be a transducer assembly, such as, for example, abalanced armature transducer. Storage device 869 may be, for example, arechargeable battery.

In FIG. 8 , the output of MPPT control circuit 848 may control rectifierand converter circuit 865. Rectifier and converter circuit 865 may beused to supply energy to and receive energy from storage device 869,which may be, for example, a rechargeable battery. Data acquisitioncircuit 846 and rectifier and converter circuit 865 may be used to driveload 882, with data acquisition circuit 846 proving load 882 withcontrol data (e.g., sound wave information) and rectifier and convertercircuit 865 providing load 882 with power. The power provided byrectifier and converter circuit 865 may be used to drive load 882 inaccordance with the control data from data acquisition circuit 846. Load882 may, in some embodiments of the invention, be a transducer assembly,such as, for example, a balanced armature transducer.

FIG. 9 is a circuit diagram of an H Bridge current driver 620 drivingtransducer assembly 20 which may be used in embodiments of the presentinvention. FIG. 9 illustrates a current driver 620 which may be used inone embodiment of the invention. In FIG. 9 , the actuator driver is afull bridge, which may be, for example, an H class amplifier. In thisembodiment, the bridge consists of two legs (or half bridge—left andright). Each leg is totem pole of two MOSFET transistors 970.

In embodiments of the invention, the data fed into the actuator driveris typically binary patterns with pulse wave modulation (PWM) timing. Inthese embodiments, the voltage across the actuator is based on the PWMpattern. In embodiments of the invention, the H class topology uses avariable bias of the bridge based on the audio level.

FIG. 10 is a diagram of a rectifier and converter circuit according toone embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 10 , rectifier andconverter circuit 865 may include diode 974 and capacitor 972. Inembodiments of the invention, the input to rectifier and convertercircuit 865 may be connected directly to coil 862. In embodiments of theinvention, the output of rectifier and converter circuit 865 may becoupled directly to a load, such as, for example, a transducer or abalanced armature transducer. In embodiments of the invention, theoutput of rectifier and converter circuit 865 may be coupled to thewindings in a load, such as, for example, a transducer or a balancedarmature transducer.

FIG. 11 is a diagram of a rectifier and converter circuit according toone embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 12 is a diagram of arectifier and converter circuit according to one embodiment of thepresent invention. In embodiments of the invention, rectifier andconverter circuit 865 may include diodes 974 and capacitors 972 whichmay form, for example, bridge circuits such as, for example, half wavebridges or full wave bridges.

FIG. 13 is a diagram of a portion of a medial ear canal assemblyaccording to one or more embodiments of the present invention. Inembodiments of the invention, the input to rectifier and convertercircuit 862 may be connected to coil 862 through additional circuitry,such as, for example, capacitor 854 or input circuitry 976. Inembodiments of the invention, the output of rectifier and convertercircuit 865 may be coupled to a load, such as, for example, a transduceror a balanced armature transducer through an output circuit 978. Inembodiments of the invention, output circuit 978 may be, for example, acapacitor, an inductor, a combination of electrical or electroniccomponents and/or a matching circuit.

In embodiments of the invention, the lateral ear canal assembly may use,for example, energy which is transmitted using RF transmission,inductive coupling and/or cutaneous transmission to transmit data and/orpower to the medial ear canal assembly. The use of RF transmission orinductively coupled energy to transmit the data and/or power isbeneficial because it eliminates the need to bias the signal before itis transmitted, reducing the amount of energy required to transmit agiven signal and eliminating the need to use a sliding bias to reducethe amount of energy required to be transmitted. The use of RF orinductive coupled mechanisms for transmitting the data and power signalswithout biasing the signal, where the transmitted signal incudes both apositive and a negative component may be referred to as a Push/Pulldriving strategy.

In embodiments of the invention, a Push/Pull driving strategy means thatthe output of the lateral ear canal assembly can have both positive andnegative components (unlike an optical drive, which can only go positiveand therefore, needs to incorporate negative information into a positivesignal), allowing the system to transmit both positive and negative data(e.g. sound wave information) without using a bias or offset signal.Thus, using a push/pull driving strategy, it is only necessary todeliver enough energy to: i) transmit the data; ii) power the medialcanal assembly circuitry, including any sensors; and iii) activate themicroactuator. This is advantageous because the system is only usingenergy when it is necessary and eliminating the need for a bias signaland the need for sliding bias to minimize the bias signal.

In embodiments of the invention, no bias is required and the signal maybe transmitted directly, resulting in reduced energy consumption and anincreased battery life.

By using smart lens circuitry on the medial ear canal assembly, powerfor operating the elements of the medial ear canal assembly may beharvested from the transmitted signal and stored on the medial ear canalassembly until needed (e.g., in a rechargeable battery orsupercapacitor). The harvested power may be used to drive the medial earcanal assembly electronics (e.g., the smart chip logic and/or sensors onthe medical ear canal assembly) in addition to providing power for thetransducer assembly which provides vibratory input to the tympanic lens.This harvested power from the incoming signal may, in some embodiments,be supplemented or replaced by power harvested directly from the wearer,e.g., through harvesting the energy generated by the motion of thewearer's body, such as, for example, the motion of the wearer's jaw whenchewing or talking or the heat generated by the wearer.

In embodiments of the present invention, the output of the medial earcanal assembly is regulated directly by the circuitry on the medial earcanal assembly such that the output is not a function of the power orintensity of the incoming signal from the lateral ear canal assembly,which intensity may fluctuate as, for example, a function of thedistance between the medial ear canal assembly and the lateral ear canalassembly. For example, in these embodiments, loudness, as perceived bythe wearer, will not be a function of the distance between the lateraland medial ear canal assemblies. Nor will it be a function of theintensity of the signal transmitted by the lateral ear canal assembly tothe medial ear canal assembly, although the signal will have to beintense enough to reach a threshold value. Once the threshold value isreached, the medial ear canal assembly will be receiving a signal whichis strong enough to provide sufficient power to the medial ear canalassembly to both power the assembly and transmit the information (e.g.,sound signals) carried by the received signal. As long as the inputreaches and remains above that threshold value, the patient will notperceive any changes resulting from fluctuations in the intensity of theinput signal resulting from, for example, fluctuations in the distancebetween the medial and lateral ear canal assembly. In these embodiments,the output of the medial ear canal assembly may be regulated bycircuitry on the medial ear canal assembly, rather than, for example,the intensity of the incoming signal.

In embodiments of the invention, the medial ear canal assembly may beadapted to include an energy storage system (e.g., a rechargeablebattery or capacitor) to collect energy received from the incomingsignal and store it for use at a later time (e.g., when the incomingsignal drops below the threshold value). In these embodiments, once theenergy storage system is charged to a predetermined level, the level ofincoming signal required to run the medial ear canal assembly is reducedsince the power from the incoming signal may be supplemented by thestored energy. In such embodiments, the threshold level may be reducedto the minimum level required to transmit the information in the inputsignal.

In embodiments of the invention, the information signal (e.g., thesignal representative of the sound received by microphones on theprocessor and/or the lateral ear canal assembly) is separated from theenergy source after the incoming signal is received by the medial earcanal assembly and prior to driving the output of the lateral ear canalassembly. In other embodiments of the invention, the incoming signal tothe medial ear canal assembly comprises only a data signal with themedial ear canal assembly being powered by energy stored on the medialear canal assembly (e.g., in a rechargeable battery or capacitor) orscavenged from the local environment (e.g., from movements of the user'sjaw muscles which move the tissue in the ear canal). In embodiments ofthe invention, where the input signal reaches the threshold levelnecessary to create user perceptible sound, the power in the incidentsignal received by the medial ear canal assembly may be used directly todrive the output of the medial ear canal assembly. Once the input signalexceeds the threshold level, at least a portion of the received powermay be stored in a storage device on the medial ear canal assembly(e.g., a battery), the stored power may thereafter be used to providepower to components of the medial ear canal assembly, allowing themedial ear canal assembly to operate even when the input level dropsbelow the threshold level.

In embodiments of the invention, the output of the medial ear canalassembly is a transducer assembly coupled to the patient's tympanicmembrane. With the power separated from the data, the medial ear canalassembly requires only a minimum data signal to provide an output (e.g.,a vibratory output) to the tympanic membrane. Once a minimum inputsignal level is reached, the vibratory output may be regulated to theappropriate levels regardless of the magnitude of the input signals,particularly where the power signal has been harvested and/or stored bythe medial ear canal assembly.

Energy harvesting in addition to or instead of getting energy directlyfrom an outside source, such as, a lateral ear canal assembly 12, mayreduce the need for a lateral ear canal assembly. Energy harvested couldbe used to provide power while very little energy would be required totransmit the data. In such a device, the data may be transmitted fromoutside the user's head, using, for example, RF, inductive coupled orcutaneous transmission mechanisms.

In embodiments of the invention, the lateral ear canal assembly may bedesigned to harvest power from the input signal before the acoustic datais transmitted to the load (e.g. the microactuator). This harvestedpower may be put into a reservoir, such as a battery. The stored powermay then be modulated by the incoming acoustic data to drive the outputof the medial ear canal assembly, e.g., to drive the microactuatorcoupled to the tympanic membrane of the user. Control of the power alsomakes it possible to limit the maximum range of vibration, protectingthe user's hearing.

In embodiments of the invention, the lateral ear canal assembly mayinclude a Wi-Fi power harvesting circuit which may be uses to harvestpower from Wi-Fi signals received by the lateral ear canal assembly. Theharvested Wi-Fi signals may be used to power circuitry on the lateralear canal assembly. The harvested Wi-Fi signals may also be used toprovide power to energy storage devices, such as rechargeable batteries,located on the lateral ear canal assembly. The stored energy may be usedto power the lateral ear canal assembly and to transmit signals,including data and power components, to the medial ear canal assembly.

In embodiments of the invention, gain may be controlled on the medialear canal assembly, ensuring that the gain is not subject to fluctuationresulting from, for example, fluctuations in the input signal level. Thegain may be optimized for each patient by transmitting patient specificgain profiles to the medial ear canal assembly as part of the datatransmitted from the lateral ear canal assembly. Such patent specificgain profiles may then be used to determine the amount of gain to beapplied to the incoming signal from the lateral ear canal assembly,depending, for example, on the strength of the signal received from themedial ear canal assembly. Such patient specific gain profile mayfurther be stored on the medial ear canal assembly and used whenever asignal is received to match the gain applied to the actual needs of thepatient. The application of the patient specific gain at the medial earcanal assembly is beneficial because it allows the medial ear canalassembly to compensate for losses or changing circumstances in thetransmission path through the ear canal which may be caused by, forexample, changes in the head position of the user or movement of theuser's jaw. The signal reaching the patient's tympanic membrane will,therefore, more accurately reflect the gain requirements of thatpatient. The gain may also be modified in real time by sendingmodification data from the lateral ear canal assembly to reflect, forexample, the surroundings of the patient and/or the geographic locationof the patient, such as, for example, increasing gain when the patientis in a noisy environment.

In embodiments of the invention, wherein a microactuator located on themedial ear canal assembly uses a drive post and/or umbo platform todirectly drive the tympanic membrane of a user, changes in drive postlocation can be compensated automatically (e.g., by looking for changesto back EMF measured at, for example, the input to the microactuator).Such back EMF may be reflective of, for example, generator effectsresulting from movement of the reed. In embodiments of the inventionwhere back EMF can be measured and such back EMF is reflective of themovement of the drive post, such measurements may eliminate the need forregular checkups with physicians. Such changes in back EMF may beindicative of, for example, changes in the positon or location of themedial ear canal assembly. In embodiments of the invention,notifications of changes in back EMF may be sent to a server through acell phone and from there to a physician who can then determine whetherto ask the patient to come in to have the position or location of themedial ear canal assembly checked.

The described embodiments allow data collected by the medial ear canalapparatus to be transmitted back to a receiver, such as a lateral earcanal apparatus, where the data can be analyzed and, where appropriate,transmitted back to a second device, such as a BTE, a cell phone ordirectly to a cloud based computer. The type of data collected mayinclude biometric data relating to the person wearing the device and/ordata relating to the function of the apparatus or components of theapparatus.

In embodiments of the present invention, sensors on the medial ear canalassembly may be used to gather data, including, for example, biometricdata, which may then be transmitted from the medial ear canal assemblyto a suitable receiving device, such as a lateral ear canal assembly, aBTE, a cell phone or some combination of devices. Combinations of thepreceding devices may also be used to receive and process data from themedial ear canal assembly, for example, data may be transmitted from themedial ear canal assembly to a lateral ear canal assembly, which maythen transmit the received data to a BTE which processes the data and,where appropriate, transmits the processed data to the wearer's cellphone. The data may then be displayed on the cell phone and/ortransmitted by the cell phone to, for example, the wearer's physician ora central data base.

Sensors on the medial ear canal assembly may be used to measure manyparameters, including parameters related to physiological orcharacteristics of the wearer and/or operating parameters of the system.For example, the sensors may measure lens functionality, automaticallyregulating power levels. Further, the system may include communicationchannels to send measurements and/or data back to the lateral ear canalassembly, BTE processor and/or, to a remote device, such as a cellphone, or a remote data system, such as, for example, cloud storage. Asfurther examples, the sensors may be adapted to measure powerconsumption, and/or back EMF, enabling the system to performself-diagnostics.

In embodiments of the invention, a smartlens system may include alateral ear canal assembly and a medial ear canal assembly, the medialear canal assembly may include: a receiver adapted to receive a signalwhich includes a power component and a data component, wherein the datacomponent includes sound data; power harvesting circuitry beingconnected to the receiver and adapted to harvest the power from thereceived signal; power storage circuitry connected to the powerharvesting circuitry and adapted to receive power from the powerharvesting circuitry, wherein the power storage circuitry is adapted tostore the harvested power; and an actuator connected to the receiver andthe power storage circuitry, wherein the output of the actuator isdriven in accordance with saved data derived from the data component. Infurther embodiments of the invention, the sound data uses harvestedpower from the power storage circuit. In further embodiments of theinvention, the power storage circuitry is selected from the groupcomprising: a rechargeable battery and a capacitor. In furtherembodiments of the invention, the actuator is a transducer. In furtherembodiments of the invention, the actuator is a balanced armaturetransducer.

In embodiments of the invention, a smartlens system may include alateral ear canal assembly and a medial ear canal assembly, the medialear canal assembly may include: a transceiver adapted to receive asignal which includes a power component and a data component; datacontrol circuitry connected to the transceiver and adapted to managedata from the signals received by the medial ear canal assembly whereinsuch data control circuitry includes data storage; control circuitry fordriving an output transducer positioned on the medial ear canalassembly; and gain control circuitry responsive to the data for managingthe gain applied to signals driving the transducer. In furtherembodiments of the invention, the medial ear canal assembly may includepower control circuitry connected to the transceiver adapted to harvestenergy from the signals received by the medial ear canal assembly. Infurther embodiments of the invention, the stored data includes dataspecific to the hearing characteristics of a specific user. In furtherembodiments of the invention, the stored data includes a user's hearingthresholds at predetermined frequencies. In further embodiments of theinvention, the gain applied controls the output of the outputtransducer. In further embodiments of the invention, the outputtransducer is adapted to vibrate the tympanic membrane of the user.

In embodiments of the invention, a method of transmitting vibrations toa tympanic membrane of a user may include the steps of: transmitting afirst signal from a lateral ear canal assembly to a medial ear canalassembly, wherein at least a portion of the first signal comprises datawhich is generated from the hearing characteristics of the user wearingthe medial ear canal assembly; storing the characteristic data on themedial ear canal assembly; transmitting a second signal from the lateralear canal assembly to the medial ear canal assembly, wherein at least aportion of the second signal comprises data which is indicative ofsounds in the proximity of the user; using the data which is generatedfrom the hearing characteristics of the user to control amplificationcircuitry located on the medial ear canal assembly, wherein theamplification circuitry is adapted to amplify a signal derived from thedata indicative of sounds in the proximity of the user's ear and theamplification circuitry is adapted to drive a microactuator attached tothe medial ear canal assembly and in contact with the user's tympanicmembrane. In embodiments of the invention, a method may further includea system wherein the amount of amplification applied a given frequencyis proportional to the amplification required by the user at thatfrequency.

In embodiments of the invention, a smartlens system may include alateral ear canal assembly and a medial ear canal assembly, the medialear canal assembly may include: sensors adapted to sense parametersrelated to the status of components of the medial ear canal assembly; atransceiver positioned on the medial ear canal assembly and adapted toreceive a signal which includes a power component and a data component;power control circuitry connected to the transceiver, the power controlcircuitry being adapted to harvest energy from signals received by themedial ear canal assembly; data control circuitry connected to thetransceiver and adapted to manage data in the signals received by themedial ear canal assembly; sensor control circuitry for managing datafrom the sensors on the medial ear canal assembly; and control circuitryfor driving an output transducer positioned on the medial ear canalassembly. In further embodiments of the invention, the data controlcircuitry includes circuitry adapted to manage sound data in the data inthe signals received by the medial ear canal assembly. In furtherembodiments of the invention, the transceiver control circuitry isadapted to transmit data from the sensor control circuitry to thelateral ear canal assembly. In further embodiments of the invention, thelateral ear canal assembly is adapted to relay data from the medial earcanal assembly to a remotely located device. In further embodiments ofthe invention, the remotely located device is a cell phone. In furtherembodiments of the invention, the remotely located device is a computer.In further embodiments of the invention, the sensors on the medial earcanal assembly provide data on the output transducer. In furtherembodiments of the invention, the data provided is data related to theback EMF of the output transducer. In further embodiments of theinvention, the data managed by the data control circuitry is datarelated to the physical characteristics of the person wearing thesmartlens.

In embodiments of the invention, a smartlens system may include: alateral ear canal assembly comprising a first transceiver including afirst coil; a medial ear canal assembly comprising a second transceiverincluding a second coil, wherein the first coil is adapted toinductively couple to the second coil; a vibratory load connected to thesecond coil and adapted to vibrate in response to signals transmittedfrom the first coil to the second coil through inductive coupling; and arectifying circuit connected between an output of the second coil andthe vibratory load. In further embodiments of the invention, thesmartlens transmits a signal having a push-pull format. In furtherembodiments of the invention, the smartlens transmits a signal having azero crossing. In further embodiments of the invention, the coil ismanufactured from conductive material. In further embodiments of theinvention, the first and second coils are elongated coils. In furtherembodiments of the invention, the medial ear canal assembly includes acurrent sensor adapted to measure the current in the second coil. Infurther embodiments of the invention, the medial ear canal assemblyincludes a voltage sensor adapted to measure the voltage across thesecond coil. In further embodiments of the invention, the medal earcanal assembly includes power control circuitry connected between thesecond coil and the vibratory load. In further embodiments of theinvention, the power control circuitry is further connected to an energystorage device. In further embodiments of the invention, the energystorage device is a capacitor. In further embodiments of the invention,the energy storage device is a rechargeable battery. In furtherembodiments of the invention, the transmission path between the firstcoil and the second coil comprises air. In further embodiments of theinvention, the transmission path comprises a line of sight transmissionpath. In further embodiments of the invention, the transmission pathcomprises air in the ear canal of a user. In further embodiments of theinvention, the lateral ear canal assembly is separated from the medialear canal assembly by air in the ear canal of a user. In furtherembodiments of the invention, the first and second coils are stackedcoils. In further embodiments of the invention, the first and secondcoils comprise wound inductors. In further embodiments of the invention,the first coil is wound around a first core and the second coil is woundaround a second core. In further embodiments of the invention, the firstcore comprises air. In further embodiments of the invention, the firstcore has a substantially fixed diameter along at least a portion of thelength of the first coil. In further embodiments of the invention, thesecond core comprises air. In further embodiments of the invention, thesecond core has a substantially fixed diameter along at least a portionof the length of the second coil. In further embodiments of theinvention, the vibratory load is a transducer. In further embodiments ofthe invention, the transducer is a balanced armature transducer.

In embodiments of the invention, a method of transmitting data from alateral ear canal assembly to a medial ear canal assembly is described,the method including: modulating the data; exciting a first coil on thelateral ear canal with the modulated data such that the coil generates amagnetic field; receiving the generated magnetic field at the medial earcanal assembly and generating a received signal representative of themodulated signal; and demodulating the received signal to generate ademodulated signal; using the demodulated signal to generate a drivesignal; and using the drive signal to drive a microactuator positionedon the medial ear canal assembly. In further embodiments of theinvention, the method may further include a step wherein the receivedsignal comprises an electrical current which is induced in a coil by themagnetic field and wherein the coil is positioned on the medial earcanal assembly. In further embodiments of the invention, the method mayfurther include a step wherein the received signal comprises anelectrical voltage induced across at least one coil by the magneticfield and wherein the coil is positioned on the medial ear canalassembly.

In embodiments of the invention, a method of transmitting data from alateral ear canal assembly to a medial ear canal assembly is described,the method including: exciting a first coil on the lateral ear canalassembly to generate a magnetic field; receiving at least a portion ofthe generated magnetic field at a second coil positioned on the medialear canal assembly, wherein the received magnetic field induces areceived signal in the second coil; rectifying the output of the secondcoil; and transmitting at least a portion of the rectified output to aload positioned on the medial ear canal assembly. In further embodimentsof the invention, the method may further include a step wherein the loadcomprises a vibratory element adapted to vibrate in response to therectified output. In further embodiments of the invention, the methodmay further include a step wherein the load comprises a balancedarmature transducer. In further embodiments of the invention, the methodmay further include a step wherein the received signal comprises avoltage induced across the second coil. In further embodiments of theinvention, the method may further include a step wherein the receivedsignal comprises a current induced in the second coil. In furtherembodiments of the invention, the method may further include a stepwherein first coil is excited with a signal having a push/pull format.In further embodiments of the invention, the method may further includea step wherein the first coil is excited with a signal having a zerocrossing. In further embodiments of the invention, the method mayfurther include a step wherein the first coil generates magnetic fluxand the first coil is coupled to the second coil by the magnetic flux.In further embodiments of the invention, the method may further includea step wherein the received signal comprises a data portion. In furtherembodiments of the invention, the method may further include a stepwherein the received signal further comprises an energy portion. Infurther embodiments of the invention, the method may further include astep wherein at least a portion of the energy in the received signal isused to charge an energy storage device. In further embodiments of theinvention, the method may further include a step wherein at least aportion of the received signal provides data to the medial ear canalassembly. In further embodiments of the invention, the method mayfurther include a step wherein the medium between the lateral ear canalassembly and the medial ear canal assembly comprises air. In furtherembodiments of the invention, the method may further include a stepwherein the medium between the lateral ear canal assembly and the medialear canal assembly comprises air in the ear canal of a user. In furtherembodiments of the invention, the method may further include a stepwherein the magnetic field travels between the first and second coilthrough air. In further embodiments of the invention, the method mayfurther include a step wherein the air between the first and second coilcomprises air in the ear canal of the user. In further embodiments ofthe invention, the method may further include a step wherein the medialear canal assembly is optically visible from the lateral ear canalassembly. In further embodiments of the invention, the method mayfurther include a step wherein the only material between the medial earcanal assembly and the lateral ear canal assembly is air in the earcanal of a user.

In an embodiment of the invention, a smartlens system may include: alateral ear canal assembly comprising a first transceiver including afirst antenna; a medial ear canal assembly comprising a secondtransceiver including a second antenna, wherein the first antenna isadapted to couple to the second antenna using radio frequencycommunications. In further embodiments of the invention, the smartlenstransmits a signal having a push-pull format. In further embodiments ofthe invention, the smartlens transmits a signal having a zero crossing.

In an embodiment of the invention, a smartlens system, may include alateral ear canal assembly and a medial ear canal assembly, the medialear canal assembly may include: sensors adapted to sense parametersrelated to the status of components of the medial ear canal assembly; atransceiver adapted to receive a signal which includes a power componentand a data component; power control circuitry connected to thetransceiver adapted to harvest energy from signals received by themedial ear canal assembly; data control circuitry connected to thetransceiver and adapted to manage data in the signals received by themedial ear canal assembly; sensor control circuitry for managing datafrom the sensors on the medial ear canal assembly; and control circuitryfor driving an output transducer positioned on the medial ear canalassembly. In further embodiments of the invention, the transceivercommunicates using one or more of radio frequency, optical, inductiveand cutaneous transmission of the data and power.

In an embodiment of the invention, a method of transmitting data andpower from a lateral ear canal assembly to a medial ear canal assembly,the method including the steps of: encoding the data to be transmittedinto a signal; driving a first coil positioned on the lateral ear canalassembly using encoded data; driving a second coil positioned on themedial ear canal assembly by inductively coupling the first coil to thesecond coil.

In an embodiment of the invention, a method of transmitting data andpower from a lateral ear canal assembly to a medial ear canal assemblyis described, the method including the steps of: encoding the data to betransmitted into a signal; driving a first antenna positioned on thelateral ear canal assembly using encoded data; driving a second antennapositioned on the medial ear canal assembly by inductively coupling thefirst coil to the second coil.

In an embodiment of the invention, a method of transmitting data andpower from a lateral ear canal assembly to a medial ear canal assemblyis described, the method including the steps of: encoding the data to betransmitted into a signal; driving an optical transmitter positioned onthe lateral ear canal assembly using encoded data; driving an opticalreceiver positioned on the medial ear canal assembly by inductivelycoupling the first coil to the second coil. In further embodiments ofthe invention, the method may further include a step wherein the opticaltransmitter comprises a laser. In further embodiments of the invention,the method may further include a step wherein the optical receivercomprises a photodiode.

In embodiments of the invention, a method of providing energy tocircuitry on a medial ear canal assembly is described, the methodincluding the steps of: radiating a signal from a lateral ear canalassembly to the medial ear canal assembly; receiving the radiated signalat the medial ear canal assembly wherein the received signal includes adata component and a power component; detecting the data in the detectedsignal; harvesting the power in the detected signal; and storing theharvested power on the medial ear canal assembly. In further embodimentsof the invention, the method may further include a step wherein themethod including the step driving a microactuator using the detecteddata and the stored power.

In embodiments of the invention, a method of providing energy tocircuitry on a medial ear canal assembly is described, the methodincluding the steps of: harvesting Wi-Fi energy at a lateral ear canalassembly; using the harvested Wi-Fi energy to power the lateral earcanal assembly; radiating a signal from the lateral ear canal assemblyto the medial ear canal assembly; receiving the radiated signal at themedial ear canal assembly wherein the received signal includes a datacomponent and a power component; detecting the data in the detectedsignal; harvesting the power in the detected signal; and storing theharvested power on the medial ear canal assembly. In further embodimentsof the invention, the method may further include a step includingdriving a microactuator using the detected data and the stored power.

In embodiments of the invention, where the data and power is transmittedoptically, such sensors may further be used for automaticallycalibrating the light tip to the individual lens. This calibration maybe accomplished by providing feedback on the output level from thephotodetector to the light tip and comparing that output level to thedrive level for the laser on the light tip. In embodiments of theinvention, light calibration or other calibration of the hearing aid tothe unique requirements of the hearing aid user is accomplished usingdata collected from the medial ear canal assembly.

In embodiments of the invention, the invention includes a method ofinducing a detectable voltage in an electronic component positioned onor attached to a medial ear canal assembly. In embodiments of theinvention, the invention includes a method of inducing a detectablecurrent in an electronic component positioned on or attached to a medialear canal assembly. In embodiments of the invention, the electroniccomponent may be a coil. In embodiments of the invention, at least aportion of the power in a signal received by a medial ear canal assemblymay be used to provide power to components on the ear canal assembly. Inembodiments of the invention, at least a portion of the energy in asignal received by a medial ear canal assembly may be used to providepower to components on the ear canal assembly. In embodiments of theinvention, at least a portion of the power in a signal received by amedial ear canal assembly may be stored on the medial ear canal assemblyand thereafter used to provide power to components on the ear canalassembly. In embodiments of the invention, at least a portion of theenergy in a signal received by a medial ear canal assembly may be storedon the medial ear canal assembly and thereafter used to provide power tocomponents on the ear canal assembly. In an embodiment of the invention,a signal received at a medial ear canal assembly may include both dataand power. In an embodiment of the invention, a signal received at amedial ear canal assembly may include both data and energy.

While the preferred embodiments of the devices and methods have beendescribed in reference to the environment in which they were developed,they are merely illustrative of the principles of the present inventiveconcepts. Modification or combinations of the above-describedassemblies, other embodiments, configurations, and methods for carryingout the invention, and variations of aspects of the invention that areobvious to those of skill in the art are intended to be within the scopeof the claims. In addition, where this application has listed the stepsof a method or procedure in a specific order, it may be possible, oreven expedient in certain circumstances, to change the order in whichsome steps are performed, and it is intended that the particular stepsof the method or procedure claim set forth herein below not be construedas being order-specific unless such order specificity is expresslystated in the claim.

REFERENCE NUMBERS Number Element 12 Lateral Ear Canal Assembly 20Transducer Assembly 30 Smartlens System 100 Medial Ear Canal Assembly150 Photodetector 152 Current Source 510 Hybrid Circuit 520 Smart Chip540 Antenna 550 Matching Network 560 Current Regulator 570 Driver 580Data Decoder 590 Voltage Reference Circuit 600 Current Bias Circuit 610Diagnostic Circuits 620 Current Driver 640 Clock 650 Energy HarvestingCircuit 660 Capacitor 700 Upstream Signal 702 Upstream Data 710Downstream Signal 712 Downstream Data 720 Interface 730 Clock RecoveryCircuit 740 Data Recovery Circuit 750 Energy Harvesting Circuit 760Power management Circuit 770 Voltage Regulator 780 Driver 790 DataProcessor Encoder 800 Data/Sensor Interface 802 External Antenna 804Bluetooth Circuit 806 Battery 808 Power Conversion Circuit 810Microphones 812 Charging Antenna 814 Wireless Charging Circuit 816Interface Circuit 818 Power/Data Link 820 Pre-Amplifiers 822 InterfaceCircuit 823 Biological Sensors 824 Energy Harvesting and Data RecoveryCircuit 826 Energy Storage Circuitry 828 Power Management Circuitry 830A to D Converters 831 Matching Network 832 Data/Signal ProcessingCircuitry 834 Microcontroler 836 Driver 838 Microactuator 840 DigitalSignal Processors 842 Cloud Based Computer 844 Cell Phone 846 DataAcquisition Circuit 848 MPPT Control Circuit 850 Pulse Density Modulator852 Current Sensor 853 Parasitic Diode 854 Capacitor 856 Switch 857Converter 858 Coil 860 RF Modulator 862 Coil 863 Voltage Meter 864 Laser865 Rectifier and Converter Circuit 868 Storage Circuit 870 PowerAmplifier 872 Parasitic Capacitance 880 Antenna 882 Load 890 Antenna 900Monitor 910 Power Regulator 920 RF Demodulator 930 Driver 940 Actuator960 Umbo Lens 970 FET Transistors 972 Capacitor 974 Diode 976 InputCircuit 978 Output Circuit

1. (canceled)
 2. A hearing aid system comprising: a lateral ear canalassembly comprising a first transceiver including a first coil; a medialear canal assembly comprising a second transceiver including a secondcoil, wherein the first coil is adapted to inductively couple to thesecond coil; a vibratory load connected to the second coil and adaptedto vibrate in response to signals transmitted from the first coil to thesecond coil through inductive coupling; and an energy storage elementconnected to a power control circuit.
 3. The hearing aid system of claim2, wherein the energy storage element is a capacitor.
 4. The hearing aidsystem of claim 2, wherein the energy storage element is a rechargeablebattery.
 5. The hearing aid system of claim 2, further comprising powercontrol circuitry connected between the second coil and the vibratoryload.
 6. The hearing aid system of claim 5, wherein the power controlcircuitry is configured to collect and store energy with the energystorage element when the signals transmitted from the first coil to thesecond coil below a threshold value.
 7. The hearing aid system of claim5, wherein the power control circuitry is configured to collect andstore energy with the energy storage element when the signalstransmitted from the first coil to the second coil drop exceed athreshold value.
 8. The hearing aid system of claim 2, wherein themedial ear canal assembly includes a current sensor adapted to measurecurrent in the second coil.
 9. The hearing aid system of claim 2,wherein the medial ear canal assembly includes a voltage sensor adaptedto measure voltage across the second coil.
 10. The hearing aid system ofclaim 2, further comprising a rectifying circuit connected between anoutput of the second coil and the vibratory load.
 11. The hearing aidsystem of claim 2, wherein the vibratory load is a transducer.
 12. Thehearing aid system of claim 11, wherein the transducer is a balancedarmature transducer.
 13. The hearing aid system of claim 2, wherein thevibratory load is configured to be mechanically coupled to a tympanicmembrane of a user.
 14. The hearing aid system of claim 2, wherein thelateral ear canal assembly is configured to be separated from the medialear canal assembly by air when the lateral ear canal assembly and themedial ear canal assembly are both placed in the ear canal of a user.15. The hearing aid system of claim 2, wherein the lateral ear canalassembly is configured to be positioned in the ear canal of a user. 16.The hearing aid system of claim 2, wherein the medial ear canal assemblyis configured to be positioned to contact a tympanic membrane of a user.17. The hearing aid system of claim 2, wherein a transmission pathbetween the first coil and the second coil comprises air.
 18. Thehearing aid system of claim 17, wherein the air is in the ear canal of auser of the hearing aid system.
 19. The hearing aid system of claim 2,wherein a transmission path between the first coil and the second coilcomprises a line of sight transmission path.
 20. The hearing aid systemof claim 2, wherein one or more of the first or second coils is anelongated coil, a stacked coil, or comprises a wound inductor.
 21. Thehearing aid system of claim 2, wherein the first coil is wound around afirst core and the second coil is wound around a second core.
 22. Thehearing aid system of claim 21, wherein one or more of the first orsecond cores comprises air.
 23. The hearing aid system of claim 21,wherein one or more of the first or second cores comprises a magneticmaterial.
 24. The hearing aid system of claim 2, wherein one or more ofthe first core or the second core has a substantially fixed diameteralong at least a portion of a length thereof.
 25. The hearing aid systemof claim 2, wherein the medial ear canal assembly further comprises oneor more sensors configured to generate data about one or more of afunction of the vibratory load, a state of the energy storage element, abiometric of a user, or a physiological characteristic of the user. 26.The hearing aid system of claim 22, wherein the one or more sensors areconfigured to transmit the generated data to at least the lateral earcanal assembly.